Master of Liberal Arts English Literature

The Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) in English Literature is a graduate program designed to prepare students to produce literary scholarship of professional quality and to join ongoing academic discussions in English and literature. It focuses on closely and critically analyzing literary texts and relevant criticism across a wide variety of literature, and on understanding how literary theory shapes interpretation.

The curriculum requires 33 credit hours of coursework and includes a capstone project for degree completion. The capstone includes an oral defense for progression to degree completion. Students complete graduate-level research and writing and build academic prose to support critical arguments in the discipline.

Modules

• ILA 500 Introduction to Liberal Arts
• ILA 501 Research in the Liberal Arts
• EN 504 Literary Theory
• EN 511 Seminar in English Literature
• EN 512 Seminar in American Literature
• EN 530 Literary Genres
• EN 552 Research Methods in Literary Studies
• EN 561 Special Topics in Literature
• CO 540 Theory of Mass Communication
• HI 501 Historiography
• MU 508 Seminar in Music History and Literature
• ILA 599 Capstone Project

Students applying for entrance to the Master of Liberal Arts in English Literature are required to submit an application for admission, Apply Online (www.alcorn.edu/academics/graduate-studies).

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 at the undergraduate level
• Two letters of recommendation from references sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies.
• A personal statement of no more than 750 words explaining qualifications for this concentration area and career goals after completing the degree
• Official transcript from an accredited school (if a student has attended more than one school, transcripts must be submitted from all schools attended). At least one transcript must document that the student has a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
• Immunization Record
• Decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials by the department’s admission committee. The department uses an admission formula to accept students. The entire application packet, including all supporting materials, must be submitted to the Graduate School.
• Official transcripts from the sending school, and Credential Evaluations (International students) from an approved Credential Evaluation Service.
• Some departments have additional requirements that students must meet for admission